What to do if your dog is attacked at dog park?

If a dog’s “parent” will sue another dog’s “parent” and/or contact animal control when a biting incident occurs. A dog’s “parent” will typically not be held liable in Kansas when their dog bites unless the dog had a history of being dangerous and the dog’s “parent” knew about it or the person in charge of the dog who caused the injury was negligent in the handling of the dog and such negligence resulted in harm. It can also be argued that people assume the risk that their dog may get into a scuffle when they take their dog to a dog park, with possible exceptions, such as if the offending dog has already been declared dangerous. And more importantly with respect to dog parks, when rules are broken (such as a small dog entering a large dog area and then getting injured), it will likely be very difficult for the injured dog’s “parent” to get compensated for the harm caused. Animal control may be contacted when there is a dog bite but it is unlikely that animal control will get involved when a dog bites another dog in a dog park. If animal control gets involved, people should also consider retaining an attorney. To avoid litigation or ongoing disputes, some "parents" of the biting dog will pay all or some of an injured dog’s veterinary expenses even if they are not necessarily legally obligated to do so. A release should be signed to make it clear that payment releases the dog’s “parent” from any further liability arising out of the incident. People who are sued for money should check their homeowner’s insurance policy. Many of these policies cover dog bites.

Stay CalmOnce the fight or incident has ended, you need to stay clear-headed and calm to help your dog recover, both physically and mentally. Take Your Dog Out of the ParkWhen a fight occurs, it raises the adrenaline level of the dogs involved, and all those nearby for several hours after the actual incident is over. Assess Your Dog’s InjuryOnce your dog is safely away from danger, assess your dog’s injuries to determine if they need emergency veterinary care, or if they have a minor cut or scrape that can wait a moment. Exchange Owner InformationIf your dog doesn’t need immediate care, politely talk to the owner of the other dog to exchange information. Seek Medical AttentionIf you haven’t already, promptly seek medical attention for your dog. Fill out a Dog Park Incident or Police ReportMany dog parks ask owners to fill out an incident report when a fight or injury occurs.